Wiseacre not moving into Mid-South Coliseum

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Wiseacre not moving into Mid-South Coliseum

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Wiseacre Brewing Company will not be moving into the Mid-South Coliseum after all — at least not in the near future.

In August, the brewery said it had reached capacity at its location on Broad Avenue and was exploring moving into the now-empty coliseum.

City Council voted later that month to approve the move, but Wiseacre decided to not move forward with the lease, according to Doug McGowen, the city’s chief operating officer.

Wiseacre might still consider the option, but they will no longer have exclusive rights, McGowen said.

“Our engagement with Wiseacre shows Mayor Strickland’s commitment to having an open mind on the future of the Coliseum, and it is another example of how this administration thinks boldly in ways that are transforming Memphis,” he said in a statement.

He said the city will continue to work to develop the Fairgrounds area.

The Coliseum Coalition stressed Wiseacre’s decision won’t stop them in their efforts to reopen the building.

Although he said he is disappointed Wiseacre won’t move in, Coliseum Coalition President Roy Barnes said in a statement, “Wiseacre’s efforts show that the Coliseum is a building of the future. We won’t lose the energy and imagination that this great company has put into this great building as we move forward to that future.”

The coalition said it is ready to make the necessary renovations and will use patience and planning in the reopening process.